The Shepherds Bush centre devoted to helping children appreciate music has celebrated its 30th birthday.
Music House for Children marked the milestone anniversary on Sunday 13 October with entertainment featuring a steel band and contributions from young musicians, including children as young as six months.
Its Bush Hall base in Uxbridge Road was decorated with balloons and streamers for the occasion, with musicians and benefactors among the VIP guests.
Younger partygoers had their faces painted.
In the past three decades Music House has published nearly 100 specialist projects and case studies to demonstrate the positive impact music can have on children's life skills, communication and early development, with particular success recorded among vulnerable and Disabled children.
It was founded in Uxbridge Road in 1994 by Emma Hutchinson as a not-for-profit project to encourage youngsters' development by playing instruments.
"When it started, I drove a Zephyr 650 motorbike around London to teach piano and nursery groups," laughed Emma. The early logo for Music House was a rocking horse after Emma discovered an abandoned one, restored it and placed it in the window of her school.
"We've provided hundreds of teachers to work with young children, with accessible musical skills to engage and nurture our youngest communities."
With a range of digital courses now added to the regular classes at the centre, even more youngsters are benefiting from Music House's support.
For more on Music House and its classes, visit the website.
